Introducing Paul; volunteer IT support
Hello, I’m Paul – Skylark’s Volunteer IT Support!
I’ve been supporting Skylark Fostering as a volunteer IT support technician in my spare time since the company was formed. I’m really excited to be part of such a meaningful organisation and to help make sure that all the behind-the-scenes technology at Skylark runs smoothly, so the team can focus on the important work of supporting children and families.
A little bit about me – I’ve been working in IT for almost 30 years now, with highlights including automating the systems that produce the nation’s favourite crisps and breakfast cereals. I’ve done everything from setting up computers and managing networks to helping businesses keep their data safe and their systems running efficiently. My job often involves fixing problems, making sure everything stays secure, and helping people make the best use of their technology. I have worked in my current full time role as a Principal DevOps Engineer for 12 years for a financial services company.
One of my major tasks for Skylark has been to build the website from scratch, and I continue to maintain and update it to ensure it serves the team and the fostering community well. I’ve also been setting up Skylark’s IT systems to make sure everything is secure, efficient, and ready to grow as the organisation does.
Why did I want to volunteer with Skylark? Well, aside from my love of solving technical problems, it’s personal for me too – my wife, Trish Kelly, is one of the founding directors. I’ve seen first-hand how much passion and commitment has gone into creating Skylark Fostering, and I wanted to contribute in any way I could. I know how important it is for organisations like Skylark to have reliable IT systems – whether it’s keeping files secure, managing communication, or maintaining the website. If I can take some of the technical stress off the team, they can focus more on what they do best: changing lives through fostering.
Outside of IT, I’m a bit of a problem-solver by nature – I love figuring out how things work and making them better. I’m also a family man at heart, and I’m really looking forward to supporting an organisation that’s all about creating safe, caring homes for children.
I’m here to help with anything IT-related that Skylark needs, from troubleshooting day-to-day issues to keeping things running securely in the background. It’s great to be part of the team!